Graton Resort Casino Opens Expanded Gaming Floor and Dining Options in Sonoma County
Finley Lorenz · May 15, 2026
Graton Resort Casino Opens Expanded Gaming Floor and Dining Options in Sonoma County
Graton Resort & Casino in Rohnert Park welcomed visitors to the second phase of its long-planned expansion on May 4 2026, bringing a new smoke-free gaming floor online along with several dining venues that expand the property's reach as the Bay Area's largest casino destination.
The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria own the resort, which has been growing steadily since construction crews broke ground on the $1 billion project back in 2023, and this latest stage nearly doubles the overall gaming floor while creating roughly 500 new positions for local workers.
Details of the May 2026 Opening
Visitors stepping onto the fresh smoke-free gaming floor encountered 2,000 new slot machines arranged across multiple zones that include a dedicated high-limit slots room designed for players seeking elevated stakes and privacy, and the floor's layout connects smoothly to existing areas so the entire casino now offers a more spacious experience without the previous crowding issues during peak hours.
Three new restaurants debuted alongside the gaming additions, starting with the rooftop AYA venue that features panoramic views of Sonoma County, continuing with Playbook Sports Bar where large screens broadcast live events, and finishing at SoCo Dough Co. that specializes in fresh pizzas and casual fare, giving guests multiple dining choices that stay open late to match the casino's extended hours.
Project Timeline and Scale
Work on the full expansion began three years earlier in 2023 when tribal leaders approved the investment aimed at strengthening the property's position against growing competition from other California gaming facilities, and phase two represents the largest single step forward since the original resort opened its doors more than a decade ago.
Once the 200-room hotel tower reaches completion in 2027 the resort will add overnight accommodations that allow visitors to extend their stays without traveling to nearby hotels, creating a self-contained destination that combines gaming, dining and lodging under one roof managed directly by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria.
Economic Impact on the Region
The addition of approximately 500 jobs brings fresh employment opportunities to Sonoma County residents, ranging from table games dealers and slot technicians to restaurant staff and hotel operations roles scheduled to open when the tower finishes construction next year, and local workforce agencies have already begun coordinating training programs to match applicants with the new positions.
According to the Press Democrat report covering the May 4 opening, the expanded floor and restaurants are expected to draw larger crowds from the broader Bay Area while maintaining compliance with state gaming regulations that govern tribal casino operations throughout California.
Looking Ahead to the 2027 Hotel Tower
Construction crews continue work on the 200-room hotel tower that will rise adjacent to the existing gaming and dining areas, with completion targeted for 2027 so the full $1 billion investment delivers both immediate gaming growth and longer-term lodging capacity that keeps overnight guests on site rather than dispersing to surrounding communities.
Planners note that the tower's design incorporates energy-efficient features and direct access points to the casino floor, allowing seamless movement between rooms and the gaming areas that now include the new smoke-free zone and high-limit slots room opened during the May 2026 phase.
Conclusion
The May 4 2026 opening marks a clear milestone for Graton Resort Casino as the property moves closer to realizing its full expansion vision that began in 2023 and will conclude with the 2027 hotel addition, delivering doubled gaming space, fresh dining choices and hundreds of new jobs that support the local economy in Rohnert Park and surrounding Sonoma County communities.